Human history is full of fascinating stories of accidental inventions and discoveries. Here inventions often didn’t collaborate with the intention of inventors and emerged as something unique yet quite useful. It is scattered with extraordinary stories of ‘inventions gone wrong’ and different outcomes. The invention of Post-It is also a familiar story of such an apparent super flop yet groundbreaking invention.
Post-It: An Optimistic Inventor and His Beautiful Mistake
Young chemist Dr Spencer Silver joined 3M with a passion for changing the world. He was extremely confident that his invention going to be the ‘next big thing’. He started his journey with the mission of producing the world’s strongest adhesive. After two years of rigorous hard work in 1968, he finally came up with an adhesive. However, his days of hard work paid off most weirdly; because, his invention was an adhesive that stuck loosely with everything but was not strong enough. Though, his weird invention made him a real ‘joke’ among colleagues; still, he was confident that his ‘not so earth-shattering’ invention must have some practical use.
Three years later, his colleague Art Fry was struggling to fix a proper bookmark on his Bible which would not destroy his Bible and at the same time would help him in advance to prepare for his Sunday choir. Fry applied his colleague Spencer’s adhesive as a bookmark on his Bible. It worked wonderfully as a bookmark and did not destroy Fry’s Bible.
This new observation was the much-awaited breakthrough that Dr. Spencer was waiting for all these years. Now, instead of one, two heads were searching simultaneously for a commercial use of that unique adhesive product. After a few alterations finally, both friends came up with a formula for the adhesive that could be used as an adhesive on the bookmark. This new invention paved the way for one of the indispensable office stationary ‘Post It’. Though both friends were not sure about its exact application yet apart from as a bookmark.
One day Fry sent a file to his boss and he stuck one of his ‘glued bookmarks’ on the desired page of that file for the boss’s convenience. At the end of the day, his boss wrote his brief remark about that file on that bookmark itself. It was the beginning of the journey of Post-It which eventually became one of the most beloved office stationary. Though, Dr. Silver affectionately prefers to call it ‘World’s First Twitter’.
Brief Biography: Dr. Spencer Silver (1941–2021)
Dr. Spencer Silver was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1941. He was a pioneering chemist and inventor. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Arizona State University. Later completed a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Colorado. Driven by a passion for innovation, Silver joined 3M in 1966, where he worked on adhesive technology.
In 1968, while attempting to create “the strongest glue”, Silver unintentionally developed a unique adhesive. Instead, his invention adhered weakly to surfaces, making it reusable and removable. Though the product was initially deemed impractical by the decision-making authority of the company. However, Silver was confident that eventually, he would figure out a practical purpose for that adhesive. Years later, his colleague Art Fry discovered its application as a bookmark for his Bible. Finally, sparking the idea that led to the invention of the most indispensable office stationary Post-it Notes.
Dr. Silver didn’t stop his string of innovation with this adhesive only. He held over 20 patents during his illustrious career at 3M. His groundbreaking work not only transformed office supplies but also showcased the importance of perseverance in innovation. Remembered as a creative thinker and dedicated scientist, Silver’s contributions remain an integral part of modern life. Today who can imagine a busy desk without the presence of Post It?
How Post-It Notes Changed the World
Initially, Post-It was a humble office supply. However, the product quickly became indispensable across industries. From corporate offices to educational institutions, you will notice the presence of Post-It everywhere. It introduced a simple, effective way to leave messages, jot down ideas, and organize tasks. Their repositionable adhesive enabled users to communicate without causing damage to surfaces, fostering creativity and collaboration. This versatility extended beyond offices, as students, teachers, and households embraced Post-its for reminders, study aids, and creative projects.
Post-It notes, born from Dr. Spencer Silver’s accidental invention, revolutionized communication and organization in everyday life. Even in the digital age, Post-it Notes continue to inspire virtual tools for productivity and brainstorming. These pieces bridge the analog and digital worlds now. Moreover, their influence reached beyond stationery, as their innovation became a case study. Post-It is the testimonial of figuring out and recognizing the potential in unexpected places.
Do you like this amazing story of an inventor whose invention initially was a disaster and eventually emerged as something indispensable? If you love such fascinating stories of inventions and discoveries, visit our “Stories of Invention” section. Discover how messy, accidental, or even funny moments have shaped the world and human history!
Discover more from Remote Owls
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.